October 12, 2022 | By Lee Spencer

Alex Bowman continues to recover, will miss the next three Cup races

Alex Bowman will remain on the injured list for the next three weeks.

Bowman, 29, suffered a concussion during an accident at Texas Motor Speedway on Sept. 25.

After extensive evaluation on Wednesday morning by Dr. Micky Collins, clinical director at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program, Bowman will continue to focus on the healing process.

“As much as I hoped to be back in the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet this weekend, I will not be returning to competition for the next three NASCAR Cup Series races,” Bowman said in a statement. “I am continuing to focus my efforts on getting my health back to 100% so that I can return (to) racing as soon as possible.”

Noah Gragson will continue as Bowman’s substitute driver this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend and then the remaining races in the Round of 8—Homestead-Miami Speedway and Martinsville Speedway. Gragson, 24, has served as Bowman’s understudy at the last two races—Talladega Superspeedway and the Roval.

“We have a tremendous amount of respect for the entire staff at UPMC,” said Jeff Andrews, president and general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. “Our priority continues to be Alex’s recovery and long-term health, and we will follow the plan that Dr. Collins and his team recommend.

“We’re not looking past the next three races and will evaluate plans for the season finale (at Phoenix Raceway) as the event approaches.”

Bowman has raced at NASCAR’s top level for the last eight seasons. His big break came in 2016, when he was recruited to drive the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy for Dale Earnhardt Jr., who was also sidelined by a concussion. Since joining HMS, Bowman has scored seven wins, three poles, 28 top fives and 69 top 10s.

Bowman sustained his head injury nine races after fellow Playoff driver Kurt Busch suffered a concussion during a qualifying crash on July 23. The 2004 Cup champion has been out of the No. 45 car ever since. Busch, 44, will address the media Saturday morning at Las Vegas Motor Speedway—his home track.

Last Saturday at the Roval, Busch told RacinBoys.com, “I’m doing better, but I’m still not 100 percent.“

“But improvements have been made,” Busch added. “I know I’m not right and with the doctors, I’m not approved to race. I just have to keep making the right steps. There are all the little things that have improved. We just got to get to 100 percent.”

Busch’s comments came after NASCAR held a safety meeting with the Cup drivers to review the most recent developments on the new rear clip—which has been characterized by competitors as too rigid. The sanctioning body offered crash data results from last Wednesday’s test at the Transportation Research Center (TRC) in East Liberty, Oho. The improvements to the new car are not expected until 2023. Busch also addressed his fellow drivers at the end of the meeting.

Busch still has years remaining on his contract with 23XI. He remains involved with the organization in an advisory role while he continues to work on his recovery process. Team owner Denny Hamlin continues to insist a ride will be waiting for him if and when Busch is ready to return.

Bowman has blossomed under the Hendrick Motorsports banner. Last year he signed a two-year extension and the season was his best to date with four wins, eight top fives and 16 top 10s. Despite winning at Las Vegas in March, Bowman will be a spectator on Sunday.

“I know that Noah will continue to do a great job representing the No. 48 and I’ll be cheering him and the entire Ally Racing team on every lap,” Bowman added.

“Thank you again to everyone for the support I’ve received. It means so much to me.”